Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024: Afghanistan A Defeat Sri Lanka A by 11 runs despite Dushan Hemantha 6-for

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AFG-A vs SL-A: Afghanistan A defeated Sri Lanka A by 11 runs in a thrilling match at the ACC T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024 in Al Amerat, Oman on October 18.

Afghanistan A defended a total of 167 with three balls to spare as Lankan batters kept fighting till they were bundled out for 155 after Sediqulah Atal's 83 off 46 balls took Afghans to 166/7 in 20 overs.

His powerful knock, supported by Zubair Akbari's steady 57 off 54 balls, set the foundation for a strong total. However, Sri Lanka A's mystery spinner, Dushan Hemantha, turned the game around with a remarkable spell, taking 6 wickets for 23 runs, including three wickets in the final over. Despite Hemantha's individual brilliance, Afghanistan A capitalised on the early momentum provided by their top order.

In response, Sri Lanka A struggled early on as Afghanistan A's bowlers made quick inroads. Wrist spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar dismissed Lahiru Udara in the second over, setting the tone for Afghanistan's defense.

Nuwanidu Fernando, Sri Lanka's captain, seemed to turn the tide with a well-paced 50 runs off 30 balls, but his untimely run out after a misfield proved pivotal. Afghanistan's bowlers, led by Faridoon Dawoodzai's 3/40 and Bilal Sami's 2/19, kept up the pressure.

Wickets continued to fall regularly, and despite brief resistance from Ahan Wickramasinghe and Nipun Ransika, Sri Lanka A faltered. Dawoodzai's left-arm pace claimed the key wickets at the death, leaving Sri Lanka A all out for 155 in 19.3 overs, just 11 runs short of the target. Bilal Sami's clean-bowling of Nipun Ransika in the final over sealed the victory.

Afghanistan A's bowling performance, particularly in the middle and death overs, proved decisive. Despite a few moments where Sri Lanka looked capable of chasing the total, the Afghan attack remained relentless. The victory marks a successful start for Afghanistan A in the tournament as they move forward with confidence, while Sri Lanka A will be left ruing missed opportunities, including the nine dropped catches that could have made a significant difference.